End of an era? EURO elimination raises questions about the future of the German national team

The fever of EURO 2024 captured almost every German and fan across the world. Every one of them hoping to give Toni Kroos, a German legend of the game, a fairytale farewell. What many missed, though, is that there are a lot more living German legends that are nearing the sunset of their careers.

“There’s a high probability that this was my last international match.” Thomas Müller told Sport1’s Kerry Hau after the defeat (as captured by @MiaSanMia).

Meanwhile, the current and former captain of the national team found it too soon to give a definitive answer right after the game.

“I can’t say yet, so soon after the game.” İlkay Gündoğan told Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg when asked if it was his last game for Germany (via @iMiaSanMia). “I will need a few days to think more about it. Then I will make a decision.”

Manuel Neuer did not want to commit to whether he would continue with the national team. He said it could take “half a year or longer” until he makes his decision. (Via Tobi Altschäffl as captured by @MiaSanMia).

The possibility of not seeing Müller, Neuer, or Gündogan with the national team seemed so far-fetched just a few years ago, but right now this is a very real possibility. A change of an era is upon us, and with Julian Nagelsmann, Germany seems to be very well equipped to start a new one that may hopefully bring just as much happiness and emotion as the departing one.

Looking for more thoughts and analysis of Germany’s crushing 2-1 loss to Spain? We have you covered with our Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show. We have takes on Julian Nagelsmann’s controversial starting XI, a rundown of the scoring and substitutions, and ideas on how this all fell apart in front of an absolutely electric crowd. You can get the podcast on Spotify or below: